Are you looking for a tasty dessert that can be made in no time? Look no further than this strawberry fudge recipe!
Fudge is a delicious, decadent treat that can both satisfy any sweet cravings and impress guests. It’s also extremely easy to make at home with only a few ingredients.
This strawberry fudge recipe with just three basic ingredients makes it even more enticing as it is quick, simple, and requires minimal effort.
🍓 Ingredient Tips
This strawberry fudge recipe really only requires three ingredients: buttercream frosting, candy melts, and strawberry extract.
Buttercream frosting - Even if you're a purist who loves to make their own buttercream, stick with canned frosting for this fudge recipe. It will help keep the consistency and texture correct.
Candy melts - If you can’t find strawberry candy melts, no problem. The extract still adds plenty of flavor. You can just use normal pink candy melts instead.
If you don’t have access to candy melts, you can use white chocolate chips and color the chocolate with oil-based food dye. Do not use water-based dye or it will ruin the texture of the chocolate.
Strawberry extract - You should be able to find this in the baking aisle of most grocery stores. If not, you can find strawberry extract on Amazon for a good price.
Sprinkles (optional) - Sprinkles and nonpareils are completely optional but add a fun and festive touch. If you're making strawberry fudge for Valentine's Day, you can use a themed sprinkle mix like the one linked.
If you're making this recipe for Christmas, add some silver and gold nonpareils and green sprinkles. I'm in love with this green sprinkle mix that has Christmas trees in it.
📝 Step-by-Step Directions
1. Place the red candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl and heat on high, in the microwave, for 2-3 minutes or until smooth when stirred. Stop every 15-30 seconds to stir during the melting process to ensure the candy melts don’t overcook.
Follow step one for the pink candy melts, keeping the two colors separated.
2. Remove the lid and film from the frosting and place it in the microwave for 45 seconds to 1 minute, or until fully melted and smooth.
Add the extract to the frosting and stir well. Do not add the extract directly to the chocolate or it will ruin it. The extract seizes the chocolate to a point that it’s not usable.
3. Place half of the frosting in with the red candy melts and the other half with the pink candy melts.
Stir each color vigorously until fully mixed. Note: The chocolate will slightly seize when the frosting is added to it. This is normal, no need to worry. You just need the mixture to be pourable. Just keep stirring and you’ll be good to go.
4. Line your pan with parchment paper, making sure to leave some overhang.
5. Alternate pouring in the two colors in random spots, pausing to tap the pan in between so it evens out and removes bubbles.
6. Once both chocolate mixtures have been poured in and evened out, sprinkle the top of the fudge with as many nonpareils or sprinkles as you like.
Place in the fridge to chill for 2 hours or until hardened.
🍨 How to Serve Strawberry Fudge
This recipe will make about 16, 1-inch fudge squares. Serve them on a tray as finger food or package them in treat bags as a small gift for friends.
If you're making a hot chocolate bar, strawberry fudge is a fun addition.
❓ FAQ
Yes. You can store fudge in the freezer for up to three months. To freeze it properly, first layer the individual pieces using waxed paper. Then, wrap them again in either aluminum foil or plastic wrap for added protection from air and moisture. Finally, store the wrapped fudge in an airtight container or freezer bag before placing it in the freezer.
Keeping fudge stored in an airtight container is the key to making it last. Stored properly, fudge squares will last several days on your countertop as long as the container is airtight.
Fudge actually stores better in an airtight container at room temperature. Spoiling is not as much of an issue for fudge as drying out is. Refrigeration tends to dry it out faster.
Generally, no. Fudge does not contain gluten. To make sure this recipe is 100% gluten-free, you'll want to check the labels of every ingredient before you start making it.
📖 Recipe
Strawberry Fudge
Equipment
- 1 8x8 square pan
- parchment paper
Ingredients
- 16 oz buttercream frosting
- ¾ cup red candy melts
- ¾ cup strawberry flavored pink candy melts
- 1 teaspoon strawberry extract
- sprinkles and non-pareils
Instructions
- Place the red candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl and heat on high, in the microwave, for 2-3 minutes or until smooth when stirred. Stop every 15-30 seconds to stir during the melting process to ensure the candy melts don’t overcook.
- Repeat the first step for the pink candy melts. Keep the colors separate for now.
- Remove the lid and film from the frosting and place it in the microwave for 45 seconds to 1 minute, or until fully melted and smooth. Set aside ½ a teaspoon of uncooked frosting if using the heart sprinkles.
- Add the extract to the frosting and stir well.
- Place half of the frosting in with the red candy melts and the other half with the pink candy melts.
- Stir each color vigorously until fully mixed.
- Line an 8x8 pan with parchment paper, making sure to leave some overhang.
- Alternate pouring in the two colors in random spots, pausing to tap the pan in between so it evens out and removes bubbles.
- Once all your chocolate mixtures have been poured in and evened out, sprinkle the top of the fudge with as many Valentine’s themed nonpareils as you like.
- Chill in the refrigerator for two hours or until hardened.
Notes
- If your fudge turns out hard or seems to fall apart when you’re cutting it, this means too much chocolate was used. You’ll need to reduce the chocolate the next time around. It will still taste good, it just won’t be very soft or pretty.
- If your fudge won’t set up well, it means not enough chocolate was used. You either need to increase the chocolate used or decrease the amount of frosting the next time around.
- The chocolate will slightly seize when the frosting is added to it. This is normal, no need to worry. You just need the mixture to be pourable. Just keep stirring and you’ll be good to go.
- Do not add the extract directly to the chocolate or it will ruin it. The extract seizes the chocolate to a point that it’s not usable.
- If you can’t find strawberry candy melts, no problem. The extract still adds plenty of flavor. You can just use normal pink candy melts instead.
- If you don’t have access to candy melts, you can use white chocolate chips and color the chocolate with oil based food dye. Do not use water based dye or it ruins the chocolate like the extract does.
